Information apparatus and control method of the same

ABSTRACT

After the user purchased an information apparatus, even when he turns on a power source without setting a line and automatic line identification fails, a demonstration mode is not started, and when the information apparatus exists in a shop, the demonstration mode can be certainly started by the minimum number of steps. The information apparatus has: a communicating situation identifying unit for identifying a communicating situation of the information apparatus; a display unit for displaying the demonstration mode and an electronic key for promoting sales of the information apparatus; an operation unit for selecting the electronic key; and a control unit for identifying the communicating situation when the power source is turned on, starting a regular mode in which the information apparatus is normally used when the identification of the communicating situation succeeds, and displaying a demonstration mode selection display screen to select start-up of the demonstration mode when the identification of the communicating situation fails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to control means of a demonstration mode in aninformation apparatus and a control method of the information apparatus.

2. Related Background Art

Among conventional information apparatuses such as a telephone apparatusand the like, there are many apparatuses in which a demonstration modewhich appeals a new function, a selling point, or the like, that is, ademonstration mode which visually appeals to the user at a shop has beeninstalled. Further, also in facsimile apparatuses, there is a facsimileapparatus constructed in such a manner that although the copyingoperation is executed when the user sets an original and depresses acopy key, if he depresses the copy key without setting the original, animage for demonstration is printed (for example, refer to JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-077477).

However, if the user purchases the information apparatus in which thedemonstration mode has been installed, the demonstration mode becomesunnecessary after the purchase. Therefore, if the demonstration mode isautomatically cancelled after he purchased the information apparatus, itis convenient.

There is a telephone apparatus as an information apparatus in which thedemonstration mode has been installed. An automatic line identificationfunction for identifying whether a connected telephone line is a PB(push-button, tone) line or a DP (dial-pulse) line at the time ofturn-on of a power source has been installed in the recent telephoneapparatus. The invention in which the foregoing automatic lineidentification function is used as a trigger to cancel the demonstrationmode has been proposed (for example, refer to Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2002-232611, Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. H06-233019).

Ordinarily, in a shop, since the power source is turned on withoutconnecting the line, the automatic line identification fails, on theother hand, if the user purchases a telephone apparatus, since the powersource is turned on after the line was set, the automatic lineidentification succeeds. Therefore, by checking whether or not theautomatic line identification succeeds after the turn-on of the powersource, whether the telephone apparatus exists in the shop or on theuser destination side can be discriminated.

In other words, if the automatic line identification succeeds, it isdetermined that the user purchased the telephone apparatus, and thedemonstration mode is cancelled. If the automatic line identificationfails, it is determined that the telephone apparatus exists in the shop,and the demonstration mode is not cancelled.

However, according to the above construction of the conventionalexample, there is such a problem that if the user turns on the powersource without setting the line after the purchase of the telephoneapparatus, since the automatic line identification fails, thedemonstration mode which is unnecessary for the user is started, and theuser has to manually cancel the demonstration mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an information apparatusconstructed in such a manner that after the user purchased theinformation apparatus, he turns on a power source without setting a lineand even when automatic line identification fails, a demonstration modeis not started, and when the information apparatus exists in a shop, thedemonstration mode can be certainly started by the minimum number ofprocessing steps.

According to the invention, there is provided an information apparatuscomprising: line connecting situation identifying means for identifyinga line connecting situation of the information apparatus; an executingunit for executing a demonstration mode of the information apparatus; adisplay unit for displaying; an operation unit for executing anoperation; and control means for identifying the line connectingsituation when a power source is turned on, starting a regular mode inwhich the information apparatus is normally used when the identificationof the line connecting situation succeeds, and displaying ademonstration mode selection display screen to select start-up of thedemonstration mode when the identification of the line connectingsituation fails.

According to the invention, there is provided a control method of aninformation apparatus, comprising: a communicating situation identifyingstep of identifying a communicating situation of the informationapparatus; and a control step of controlling in such a manner that whena power source is turned on, the communicating situation is identified,when the identification of the communicating situation succeeds, aregular mode in which the information apparatus is normally used isstarted, and when the identification of the communicating situationfails, a demonstration mode selection display screen to select start-upof the demonstration mode is displayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a constructional diagram showing a telephone apparatus T1according to the embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a construction of a display unit 60 providedfor the telephone apparatus T1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external construction of an operationunit 70 constructing the telephone apparatus T1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation which is executed untilwhether or not a demonstration mode is started is selected after turn-onof a power source of the telephone apparatus T1 and a regular start-upor a demonstration mode start-up is executed;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a demonstration mode start-up selectiondisplay screen 90;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation in the embodiment 2 of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation in the embodiment 3 of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation in the embodiment 3 of theinvention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams each showing a standby display screen inthe embodiment 3 of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a line type setting display screen in theembodiment 3 of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENS

The best modes for embodying the invention are the followingembodiments.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a constructional diagram showing a telephone apparatus T1according to the embodiment 1.

The telephone apparatus T1 has: a central processing unit (CPU) 10; aROM 20; a non-volatile RAM 30; a memory unit (DRAM) 40; an answer phonecontrol unit 50; a display unit 60; an operation unit 70; acommunication unit 80; and a system bus B.

The CPU 10 controls the whole telephone apparatus T1.

The ROM 20 stores programs and data.

The non-volatile RAM 30 is a memory to store backup data such aspersonal data, telephone directory, and the like.

The memory unit (DRAM) 40 is constructed by a CPU work space, a userspecifying information storing area, a response message selectioninformation storing area, and the like.

The answer phone control unit 50 accesses the user specifyinginformation storing area, the response message selection informationstoring area, or the like and edits setting values and data.

The display unit 60 displays display screen information such as ademonstration mode start-up selection display screen 90 or the like incolor.

The operation unit 70 has a ten-key and the like.

The communication unit 80 is connected to a line L and constructed by amodem for communicating with the outside, an NCU (Network Control Unit)for performing call connection, and the like.

That is, the CPU 10 is an example of communicating situation identifyingmeans for identifying a communicating situation of the informationapparatus. The display unit 60 is an example of a display unit fordisplaying the demonstration mode for promoting sales of the informationapparatus and electronic keys. The operation unit 70 is an example of anoperation unit for selecting the electronic keys. The demonstration mode(also referred to as a sales promoting mode) is a mode for automaticallyrepeating the demonstration in the case where the information apparatusis exhibited in a shop to promote the sales, that is, a mode forautomatically repeating the demonstration to display an actual displayscreen when the apparatus is used or lighting on the ten-key.

The CPU 10 is an example of control means for identifying thecommunicating situation when a power source is turned on, starting theregular mode in which the information apparatus is normally used whenthe identification of the communicating situation succeeds, anddisplaying the demonstration mode selection display screen to select thestart-up of the demonstration mode when the identification of thecommunicating situation fails.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a construction of the display unit 60provided for the telephone apparatus T1.

The display unit 60 has: a VRAM 61 for storing the display data; an LCDdriver 62 for outputting contents in the VRAM 61 to a dot matrix LCD 63;and the dot matrix LCD 63.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external construction of the operationunit 70 constructing the telephone apparatus T1.

The operation unit 70 has: a ten-key 72 for inputting a telephone numberor the like; a function key 73 which is used for function setting or thelike; four function keys 74 which are used for multi-function inputting;a set key 75 as a setting input key; a right/left/upper/lower directionkey (crossing key) 76 which is used for cursor movement or the like ofthe display unit 60; an answer phone key 77 which is used to switch ananswer phone telephone mode; a stop key 78 which is used to interruptthe operation which is being executed; and a handset 79 which is used torecord voice data of a speech or the answer phone.

The operation which is executed until whether or not the demonstrationmode is started is selected after turn-on of the power source of thetelephone apparatus T1 and the regular start-up or the demonstrationmode start-up is executed will now be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation which is executed untilwhether or not the demonstration mode is started is selected afterturn-on of the power source of the telephone apparatus T1 and theregular start-up or the demonstration mode start-up is executed.

The processing routine is started in step S1. Whether or not the lineused by the user is the PB (push-button, tone) line or the DP(dial-pulse) line is discriminated by using the automatic lineidentification function in S2. If this identification succeeds, thismeans that after the purchasing of the telephone apparatus T1, heconnected the telephone line and turned on the power source. Therefore,the regular start-up is executed in S3 and the processing routine isfinished. If the identification fails, this means that the user turnedon the power source without connecting the telephone line. Therefore,the processing routine advances to S4. That is, in S2, the type of theconnected line is identified by using the automatic line identificationfunction for automatically identifying the type of the connectedtelephone line and whether or not the line has been connected isdiscriminated.

As a case where the processing routine advances to S4, there is a casewhere the user turned on the power source without connecting thetelephone line after the purchasing of the telephone apparatus T1 or acase where the demonstration is executed in the shop.

A salesperson inquires of the user about whether or not he starts thedemonstration mode in S4. If he makes an answer showing that he does notstart up the demonstration mode, the regular start-up is executed in S5.If he makes an answer showing that he starts the demonstration mode, thedemonstration mode is started up in S6. If time-out of a predeterminedtime occurs without receiving such an answer, the demonstration mode isstarted up in S7.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the demonstration mode start-up selectiondisplay screen 90.

A key 91 to start the demonstration mode, a key 92 which does not startthe demonstration mode, and a remaining time 93 are displayed on thedemonstration mode start-up selection display screen 90.

The user selects whether or not the demonstration mode is started byusing either the demonstration mode start-up key (also simply referredto as a “YES” key) 91 or the demonstration mode not-start-up key (alsosimply referred to as a “NO” key) 92. The key 91 or 92 is focused andthe user selects a desired mode by using the crossing key 76 of theoperation unit 70 and depresses the set key 75, so that a result of theselection by the user is determined. The not-start-up key 92 has beenfocused at the initial stage. A count-down of the predetermined time isdisplayed in the column of the remaining time 93. When the predeterminedtime elapses in the non-operating state, the demonstration mode start-upkey 91 is automatically selected.

The demonstration mode start-up selection display screen 90 is displayedin S4 shown in FIG. 4. When the not-start-up key 92 is selected, theregular mode is started in S5 and the processing routine is finished.When the start-up key 91 is selected, the demonstration mode is startedin S6 and the processing routine is finished. When the predeterminedtime elapses in the non-operating state, the demonstration mode isstarted in S7 in a manner similar to the case where the start-up key 91is depressed and the processing routine is finished.

Therefore, when the general user merely selects the not-start-up key 92,the demonstration mode is finished.

When the salesperson in the shop merely selects the start-up key 91, thedemonstration mode can be started. By monitoring the non-operatingstate, for example, even in the case of a large-scale store or the likewhere a number of articles are arranged and there is not a time enoughto set apparatuses one by one each time the power source is turned on,the demonstration mode can be started without executing any operationand he can properly cope with such a situation.

Since the not-start-up key 92 has initially been focused, even for theuser who does not understand the demonstration mode, merely bydepressing the set key 75, the demonstration mode can be finished, hecan properly cope with the operation, and the number of erroneousoperations is reduced.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation in the embodiment 2 of theinvention.

The embodiment 2 relates to the case where the embodiment 1 is appliedto a car navigation system. Whether or not the car navigation system hasbeen connected to a motor vehicle is discriminated in S12. If it hasbeen connected to the motor vehicle, the regular start-up is executed inS13. If it is not connected to the motor vehicle, the display screen isshifted to a demonstration mode start-up selection display screen andthe apparatus inquires of the user about whether or not thedemonstration mode is started in S14.

When the user selects the not-start-up key 92, the regular start-up isexecuted in S15 and the processing routine is finished. When he selectsthe start-up key 91, the demonstration mode is started in S16 and theprocessing routine is finished. When the predetermined time elapses inthe non-operating state, the demonstration mode is started in S17 in amanner similar to the case where the start-up key 91 has been depressed.The processing routine is finished.

Therefore, when the general user merely selects the not-start-up key 92,the demonstration mode is finished. When the salesperson in the shop ofthe car navigation system merely selects the start-up key 91, thedemonstration mode can be started. By monitoring the non-operatingstate, for example, even in the case where a number of articles areexhibited in a large-scale store or the like and there is no room ofsetting apparatuses one by one each time the power source is turned on,the demonstration mode can be started without executing any operationand he can properly cope with such a situation.

Each of the above embodiments can be also applied to informationapparatuses other than the telephone apparatus T1 and the car navigationsystem.

According to the foregoing embodiments, when the power source is turnedon, the communicating situation is automatically identified, if theidentification succeeds, the regular mode which is normally used by theuser is started, and when the identification fails, the demonstrationmode start-up selection display screen to select the start-up of thedemonstration mode is displayed. Therefore, such a situation that thedemonstration mode is started when the user turns on the power source inthe state where the communication is impossible can be prevented.

According to the foregoing embodiments, the apparatus has thedemonstration mode control means constructed in such a manner that whenthe operation to select the start-up of the demonstration mode isexecuted on the demonstration mode start-up selection display screen,the demonstration mode is started, and when the operation to select amode in which the demonstration mode is not started is executed, thedemonstration mode is not started and when the predetermined timeelapses in the non-operating state, the demonstration mode is started.Therefore, when the user turns on the power source in the state wherethe communication is impossible, the user can cancel the demonstrationmode by his own will. In the shop, even if the salesperson does notexecute the operation to start the demonstration mode after the turn-onof the power source, the demonstration mode is automatically started.Therefore, a troublesomeness can be omitted.

According to the foregoing embodiments, since the process opposite tothe process which is executed when the predetermined time elapses isshown on the initial selection display screen, for example, in the caseof the apparatus which starts the demonstration mode if no operationsare executed for the predetermined time, the side where the initialselection display screen is “the demonstration mode is not started” isthe initial value on the demonstration mode start-up selection displayscreen. For the unskilled user who does not know the wording of“demonstration mode” and does not see an operation manual, whenconsidering such a situation that he is apt to select the initial valuein the unknown scene, a probability that a desired operation can beprovided even for the unskilled user since the side of “thedemonstration mode is not started” is the initial value is high.

Embodiment 3

The embodiment 3 is a modification of the embodiment 1 and is an examplein which after the automatic line identification failed and the regularstart-up was executed, a message for urging the user to make the manualline type setting (to execute the manual line selection) is displayed.

In the embodiment 3, the same processes as those in the embodiment 1 aredesignated by the same reference numerals and their description isomitted.

When the automatic line identification fails in S2, “1” is set into amanual line type setting flag (manual line selection flag) in S100.

If “1” has been set in the manual line selection flag, a waiting displayscreen of FIG. 9A is displayed in S101 in FIG. 8. If “0” has been set inthe manual line selection flag, a waiting display screen of FIG. 9B isdisplayed. In FIG. 9A, the message for urging the user to execute themanual line selection is displayed on the waiting display screen. InFIG. 9B, such a message is not displayed.

If a menu key is depressed in S102, the processing routine advances toS104. If NO, other processes in S103 are executed. Whether or not themanual line selection has been made is discriminated in S104. If YES,S106 follows. If NO, such other menu processes are executed in S105. Themanual line selection is executed in S106. In this instance, a displayscreen of FIG. 10 is displayed, thereby allowing the user to select theline type. If a registration button of a touch panel is depressed, theline type selected by the user is registered. After the line type wasset, “0” is set into the manual line selection flag in S107.

According to the embodiment 3, even if the automatic line identificationfailed and the regular start-up was executed, it is possible to urge theuser to make the manual line selection. Therefore, it is possible tonotify the user of a countermeasure method against the case where theautomatic line identification fails and the regular start-up isexecuted.

According to the invention, even if the user turns on the power sourcewithout setting the line after the purchase of the information apparatusand the automatic line identification fails, the mode in which thedemonstration mode is not started can be selected while the selectiondisplay screen is displayed, so that the demonstration mode is notstarted. There is also such an effect that when the informationapparatus exists in the shop, the demonstration mode can be certainlystarted by the minimum number of processing steps.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2004-283285 filed on Sep. 29, 2004, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

1. An information apparatus comprising: a line connecting situationidentifying unit adapted to identify a line connecting situation of theinformation apparatus; an executing unit adapted to execute ademonstration mode of said information apparatus; a display unit adaptedto display; an operation unit adapted to execute an operation; and acontrol unit adapted to identify said line connecting situation when apower source: is turned on, start a regular mode in which saidinformation apparatus is normally used when the identification of saidline connecting situation succeeds, and displays a demonstration modeselection display screen for selecting start-up of said demonstrationmode when the identification of said line connecting situation fails. 2.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control unit is a unitconstructed in such a manner that when the operation to select thestart-up of said demonstration mode is executed during the display ofsaid demonstration mode selection display screen, the demonstration modeis started, when the operation to select the mode in which thedemonstration mode is not started is executed, the demonstration mode isnot started but the regular mode is started, and when a predeterminedtime elapses in the state where no operations are executed, thedemonstration mode is started.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said control unit is a unit constructed in such a manner thatselection options showing that the demonstration mode “is started (YES)”and it “is not started (NO)” are displayed on said demonstration modeselection display screen, it is displayed that either of them is in theselection state, when a predetermined key of said operation unit isdepressed, the selection option which is being displayed so as toindicate the selection state is selected, the demonstration mode or theregular mode is started, but as an initial state of the demonstrationmode selection display screen, “is not started (NO)” is displayed as aselection state by said display unit.
 4. An apparatus according to claim1, further comprising a line selection unit adapted to execute a lineselection by a user operation, and wherein said control unit isconstructed in such a manner that when the operation to select thestart-up of said demonstration mode is executed during the display ofsaid demonstration mode selection display screen, the demonstration modeis started, when the operation to select a mode in which thedemonstration mode is not started is executed, the demonstration mode isnot started but the regular mode is started, and after the regular modeis started, a display screen for urging the user to execute the lineselection is displayed.
 5. A control method of an information apparatus,comprising: identifying a communicating situation of the informationapparatus; and controlling in such a manner that when a power source isturned on, said communicating situation is identified, when theidentification of said communicating situation succeeds, a regular modein which said information apparatus is normally used is started, andwhen the identification of said communicating situation fails, ademonstration mode selection display screen to select start-up of saiddemonstration mode is displayed.
 6. A method according to claim 5,wherein said control step is a step constructed in such a manner thatwhen the operation to select the start-up of the demonstration mode isexecuted during the display of said demonstration mode selection displayscreen, the demonstration mode is started, and when the operation toselect a mode in which the demonstration mode is not started isexecuted, the demonstration mode is not started but the regular mode isstarted, and when a predetermined time elapses in the state where nooperations are executed, the demonstration mode is started.
 7. A methodaccording to claim 5, wherein said control step is a step constructed insuch a manner that selection options showing that the demonstration mode“is started (YES)” and it “is not started (NO)” are displayed on saiddemonstration mode selection display screen, it is displayed that eitherof them is in the selection state, when a predetermined key of anoperation unit is depressed, the selection option which is beingdisplayed so as to indicate the selection state is selected, thedemonstration mode or the regular mode is started, but as an initialstate of the demonstration mode selection display screen, “is notstarted (NO)” is displayed as a selection state.
 8. A method accordingto claim 5, further comprising executing a line selection by a useroperation, and wherein in said control step, when the operation toselect the start-up of the demonstration mode is executed during thedisplay of said demonstration mode selection display screen, thedemonstration mode is started, when the operation to select the mode inwhich the demonstration mode is not started is executed, thedemonstration mode is not started but the regular mode is started, andafter the regular mode is started, a display screen for urging the userto execute the line selection is displayed.